Conditions for True Discipleship

Read Scripture

Mark 8:34–38

34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.

36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

Pray

Introduction

300 Illustrations for Preachers Terms and Conditions May Apply

According to the 2013 movie Terms and Conditions May Apply, it would take the average American 180 hours per year to read all the “terms and conditions” he or she agrees to on websites and other agreements. It is no wonder that almost everyone checks the box indicating they agree with these lengthy documents filled with legal jargon. In fact, most of us would not understand it even if we read it. The point of the movie is that we are often agreeing to things that could end up costing us that which we never expected.

Many people who make a decision for Christ do not read the “terms and conditions” before saying “Yes!” Then when the road is difficult and Jesus calls us to suffer, we ask, “Why?” We must count the cost before committing to follow him. And follow—for it will be worth all you have to give and more than he will ever ask of you.

—Jim L. Wilson and Larry Blair

Mark 8:34 indicates that, though Jesus and His disciples had met in private, the crowds were not far away. Jesus summoned the people and taught them what He taught His disciples: there is a price to pay for true discipleship. He knew that the crowds were following Him only because of the miracles, and that most of the people were unwilling to pay the price to become true disciples.

-What does Jesus say we are to do?

Mark 8:34

34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Jesus laid out three conditions for true discipleship:

If you are to “come after” Jesus (or “follow” him) and be truly committed disciples of Jesus, you have to

I. Deny Yourself

II. Dawn Your Cross

III. Daily Follow Jesus

In a negative sense, one must deny himself decisively saying no to selfish interests and earthly securities.

(“deny” is an aorist imperative meaning it is of vital importance) You must deny yourself

Denying yourself is not to deny your personality, to die as a martyr, or to deny “things” (as in asceticism).

Asceticism A voluntary abstention from the satisfaction of bodily and social needs, including food, drink, sleep, clothes, wealth, and social interaction.

Rather it is the denial of “self,” turning away from the idolatry of self-centeredness and every attempt to orient one’s life by the dictates of self-interest.

Denying self is not the same as self-denial. We practice self-denial when, for a good purpose, we occasionally give up things or activities. But we deny self when we surrender ourselves to Christ and determine to obey His will. This once-for-all dedication is followed by a daily “dying to self” as we take up the cross and follow Him. From the human point of view, we are losing ourselves, but from the divine perspective, we are finding ourselves. When we live for Christ, we become more like Him, and this brings out our unique individuality.

Denying ourselves is only the negative side of the picture and is not done for its own sake alone.

Colossians 3:1–5

1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

If you are to “come after” Jesus (or “follow” him) and be truly committed disciples of Jesus, you have to

I. Deny Yourself

II. Dawn your cross

III. Daily Follow Jesus

On a positive note, one must take up his cross, decisively (“take up” is also an aorist imperative) saying yes to God’s will and way. Cross-bearing was not an established Jewish metaphor. But the meaning was appropriate in Roman-occupied Palestine. It brought to mind the sight of a condemned man who was forced to demonstrate his submission to Rome by carrying part of his cross through the city to his place of execution. So “to take up one’s cross” was to demonstrate publicly one’s submission/obedience to the authority against which he had previously rebelled.

William Law put it this way

Devotion Is a Life Given to God

"Devotion signifies a life given, or devoted, to God. He, therefore, is the devout man, who lives no longer to his own will, or the way and spirit of the world, but to the sole will of God, who considers God in everything, who serves God in everything, who makes all the parts of his common life parts of piety, by doing everything in the Name of God, and under such rules as are conformable to His glory."

Jesus’ submission to God’s will is the proper response to God’s claims over our claims. For Him it meant death on the cross. Those who follow Him must take up their cross (not His cross), meaning whatever comes to them in God’s will as a follower of Jesus. This does not mean suffering as He did or being crucified as He was. Nor does it mean bearing life’s troubles without showing any feelings or complaining. Rather, it is obedience to God’s will as revealed in His Word, accepting the consequences without reservations for Jesus’ sake and the gospel.

Mark 8:35

35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.

For some, this includes physical suffering and even death, as history has demonstrated time and time again.

If you are to “come after” Jesus (or “follow” him) and be truly committed disciples of Jesus, you have to

I. Deny Yourself

II. Dawn your cross

III. Daily Follow Jesus

In Jesus’ words, Follow Me, “follow” is a present imperative: “(So) let him keep following Me daily”.

John 8:31

31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

When following Jesus, we have to continually say no to self and yes to God. Paul wrote:

Romans 13:14

14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

Philippians 3:7–11

7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

Jesus Explains

Verses 35–38 explain Jesus’ requirements in verse 34, focusing on entrance into discipleship, leaving our old allegiance to this life (represented by the multitude), and pledging allegiance to Jesus as a disciple.

Mark 8:35

35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.

In a seemingly absurd or self-contradictory way, a person who wants to save his life will lose it;. But a person who loses his life for the sake of Jesus and the gospel will save it.

John wrote it this way:

John 12:25–26

25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

Note the motivation for true discipleship: “for My sake and the Gospel’s” (not multiple Gospels, but for the sake of the Gospel). To lose yourself is not an act of desperation; it is an act of devotion. But we do not stop there: personal devotion should lead to practical duty, the sharing of the Gospel with a lost world. “For My sake” could lead to selfish religious isolationism, so it must be balanced with “and the Gospel’s.” Because we live for Him and we live for others.

Jesus made a wordplay on the terms “lose” and “life” (psychē). The psychē on one hand is one’s natural physical life but it also refers to one’s true self, the essential person that goes beyond the world.

Mark 8:36

36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

look also at what Jesus says in Matthew 10:28:

Matthew 10:28

28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Discipleship is a matter of profit and loss, a question of whether we will waste our lives “gain the whole world” or invest our lives “lose his life for (Jesus) sake and the Gospel’s”. Note the severe warning Jesus gives us here:

Mark 8:36–37

36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Once we have spent our lives, we cannot buy them back!

Remember, He was instructing His disciples, men who had already confessed Him as the Son of God. He was not telling them how to be saved and go to heaven, but how to save their lives and make the most of their opportunities on earth. “Losing your soul” is the equivalent of wasting your life, missing the great opportunities God gives you to make your life count. You may “gain the whole world” and be a success in the eyes of men, and yet have nothing to show for your life when you stand before God.

So, let me ask you this: is there any reward for the person who is a true disciple?

Yes, there is: he or she becomes more like Jesus Christ and one day shares in His glory. Satan promises you glory, but in the end, you receive suffering. Satan promised Jesus this when He was temped in the wilderness.

Luke 4:6–8

6 And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.

7 If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine.

8 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Yes, God promises you suffering, but in the end, that suffering is transformed into glory. If we acknowledge Christ and live for Him, He will one day acknowledge us and share His glory with us.

Romans 8:16–17

16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Structurally verse 38 parallels and complements verse 35 by carrying the thought to its ultimate consequence.

Mark 8:38

38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me (denies Jesus) and of my words in this adulterous (spiritually unfaithful) and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

To be “ashamed” of Jesus is to reject Him and to retain allegiance to “this generation” because of unbelief and fear of the world not approving. Jesus will be ashamed of His disciples that have wasted their lives in pursuit of worldly gain. But, when Jesus comes in glory as the awesome Judge, all those that have not been saved but say they are His disciples, He will refuse to claim those as His own.

Matthew 7:20–23

20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Luke 13:22–30

22 And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.

23 Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,

24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:

26 Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.

27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.

28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.

29 And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.

30 And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.

They will also experience shame:

Romans 10:11

11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

True commitment to Jesus Christ is seen in love and obedience to him and we should not be ashamed

Romans 1:16

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Jesus said:

John 14:21

21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

Call to Commit (ask piano player up)

It’s one thing to read this passage and to listen to this sermon, but can you join me in this prayer. You don’t ha e to pray this out loud, but pray something like this:

Closing prayer:

I Give up Myself Entirely

To you, O God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, my Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier, I give up myself entirely: May I no longer serve myself, but you, all the days of my life.

I give you my understanding: May it be my only care to know you, your perfections, your works, and your will. Let all things else be as dung and garbage unto me, for the excellency of this knowledge. And let me silence all reasonings against whatever you teach me, who can neither deceive, nor be deceived.

I give you my will: May I have no will of my own; whatever you will may I will, and that only. May I will your glory in all things, as you do, and make that my end in everything; may I ever say with the Psalmist, “Whom have I in heaven but you? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside you.” May I delight to do your will, O God, and rejoice to suffer it. Whatever threatens me, let me say, “It is the Lord, let him do what seems good to him”; and whatever befalls me, let me give thanks, since it is your will concerning me.

I give you my affections: Dispose of them all; be my love, my fear, my joy; and may nothing have any share in them, but with respect to you and for your sake. What you love, may I love; what you hate, may I hate; and that in such measures as you are pleased to prescribe me.

I give you my body: May I glorify you with it, and preserve it holy, fit for you, O God, to dwell in. May I neither indulge it, nor use too much rigour toward it; but keep it, as far as in me lies, healthy, vigorous, and active, and fit to do all manner of service which you shall call for.

I give you all my worldly goods: May I prize them and use them only for you: May I faithfully restore to you, in the poor, all you have entrusted me with, above the necessaries of life; and be content to part with them too, whenever you, my Lord, shall require them at my hands.

I give you my credit and reputation: May I never value it, but only in respect of you; nor endeavour to maintain it, but as it may do you service and advance your honour in the world.

I give you myself and my all: Let me look upon myself to be nothing, and to have nothing, out of you. Be the sole disposer and governor of myself and all; be my portion and my all.

Amen

We become children of God by trusting Christ and confessing Him to be the Son of God (1 John 4:1–3) who died for us on the cross and rose again (Rom. 10:9–10). We become disciples of Jesus Christ by surrendering our all to Him, taking up our cross, and following Him. If we live for ourselves, we lose our lives and He is ashamed of us; but if we live for Christ, we save our lives and glorify Him (John 12:23–28). Discipleship saves us from the tragedy of a wasted life. Yes, there is suffering in taking up a cross to follow Jesus; but that suffering always leads to glory.